It's A Walk In The Park....

Rainy days make sleepy Beagles....

....but then it brightens up in the evening and it's off to the park and maybe a snoof round the hill and a game of chase the treat.....Mum made liver cake and we haven't had that for AGES!

Alfie gave chase to a deer on the hill but as soon as Mum mentioned 'din-dins' he came running back....pretty funny!

SkyWatch Friday

It's been weeks since we played SkyWatch Friday (since the Red Arrows were here) and it's one of our favourite memes....so here are some of our skies from the last few weeks that we haven't had a chance to post yet....biggify for maximum impact!

To play along or see skies from all around the world, visit SkyWatch Friday!

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Last night we went for a really long walk....Mum took a few photos but alot of them were blurry as it was getting dark.

Come on Mum, why have you stopped?

We went up to the Muiry Wood and back down past the golf course. Last time we came this way we saw a mum and baby deer and Mum was kicking herself as she'd left the camera at home.... this time there was only one. (that's not what Gabbi's barking at, none of the dogs saw it....phew!) The hedgerow was full of delicious raspberries which Mum picked.....Alfie picked a few too!

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We got the following email from our friend Kim:

Dear friends,

I just signed a petition to save elephants and rhinos from extinction by permanently banning the sale of ivory. Please add your name today: http://www.care2.com/go/z/19778191

Kenyan Wildlife Authorities recently seized $1 million worth of elephant tusks and rhino horns bound for ivory markets in Asia. And Kenya's government has called on the global community to support a permanent ban on ivory sales to ensure that elephants and rhinos won't go extinct. Let's support Kenya in trying to save their majestic wildlife - please join the global call for a permanent ban on ivory sales!

Sign the petition here: http://www.care2.com/go/z/19778191

Thanks!

Catchin' Up....

Hey! We thought we'd post some of what we've been doing over the past couple of weeks....don't really know where to start! (Some of you might have seen some of these on our Facebook or Twitter) (and yes, we're STILL at the library!)

Seems like weeks ago we were at Duffus Castle....or is that Doofus Castle?

Mum went to a really pretty 17th century harbour....

....and only took Gabbi, what's that about??

It was a showery day....with thunder, look at the clouds!

On the way back they passed through Cullen....ever tried Cullen Skink? Mmmm, you should!

In Cooper Park in Elgin, Gabbi was terrified of this red-faced dude....any idea what breed he is?

Mum & the boy went to a far away beach....again, only Gabbi went, grrr! She even got a special treat, click here....Mum followed Asta's advice on (Inter?)National Ice-Cream Day....SO not fair!

We went to Forres Theme Day where we saw some Sibe puppies....these ladies are called Zinnabar (the red) and Sophie.

Some of Petey's folk, Sandy (left) and his Dad, whose name we didn't catch.

The Nairn and District Pipe Band (the tall guy with the big drum lives across the road from us, he's the neighbour who didn't tell us about catnap woman)

And lots of really old zoomers, motorbikes, buses and tractors, which you can see here if you're interested.

Not forgetting of course that we had a huge wedding to take part in....if you missed any of the wedding you can see it all over on Petey's blog. Petey and Rosie are off on their honeymoon now but want to thank everyone who came along to share their special day, all the tartan-clad guests, especially Petey's groomsmen, Rosie's bridesmaids, the two officiators, the very clever photographer and of course the monks of Pluscarden Abbey for making themselves scarce!

Phew....we feel a snooze coming on!

The Wedding Party...

Here are some of the highlights from Rosie's beautiful wedding yesterday.

Snoop was quite proud to walk the gorgeous bride down the aisle (no leads required!)

Marvin the Hollow Hound, one of the co-Officiants, awaited the arrival of the Bride, along with her attendants in tartan taffeta - bridesmaids Kira and Mason Dixie, Matron of Honor Auntie Martha and Maid of Honor Gabbi.

Rosie delivering her vows with a voice clear and true!

The complete wedding party, outside of Pluscarden Abbey, a site very meaningful to Petey the Groom as his grandmother was born at the Priory Lodge there.

From left to right: Auntie Martha, standing in as Mother-of-the-Bride; Joseph Stains; Mason Dixie, Alfie's girlfriend; Alfie; Matron of Honor Auntie Martha; Rosie; Petey; Bestest Man Eric Square Dog; Maid of Honor Gabbi; Gabbi's boyfriend Jake; Kira, Snoop's girlfriend; Snoop, who gave Rosie away; and Hamish, standing in as the Father-of-the-Groom.

For complete wedding coverage, please visit Petey's blog!

Here Comes The Bride.....

Well, the big day has arrived at last! Today our sweet Rosie-Posie is to marry her Petey at Pluscarden Abbey. Aunties Bailey and Martha were staying over to administer mud-packs and pedicures and are now at the salon getting their ears done. Aunt Bailey is standing in as Mother-of-the-Bride while Aunt Martha is Matron of Honour.

Here is the blushing Bride and her Maid of Honour Gabbi getting ready this morning, aren't they pretty? Of course, Rosie's tiara is encrusted with red roses just like her bouquet while Gabbi's has hints of heather.....(she thanks Rosie for not choosing thistles!)

The cars arrive and Rosie looks a little nervous on the way to the Abbey (she assures us she is not but the fact that Lacie is coming is bound to be playing on her mind!)

As Bobby the lone piper leads the procession along the roads Gabbi can't resist sticking her head out the window....with all the kilts today she's hoping for a cheeky breeze....woot-woo!

All today's lovely photos have been very kindly provided by Petey and his clever Mom....thankyou!

Rosie-Posie

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

The blushing bride recovers from her wild hen night by snuggling in Petey's hoody....

....and can't wait for tomorrow to come!

YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

Ta-Daaaa!

Hey folks! Just testing to see if we can post photos yet....

Success!! Maybe we need to do them 2 at a time now instead of 5! Mother is now so excited she's feeling faint....we'll post more later!

As part of her duties as chief bridesmaid Gabbi gets to test the canapés.....passed!

Rosie is tickled with some of the companies Petey hired for the wedding....

....and as for the hen night....

photo courtesy of Asta

wanna see more? Go to Petey's blog for the all the gory details!

Forres Highland Games

On Saturday it was the Highland Games here in Forres....the humans decided to go over for a looksee. Mum took like a hundred videos....and hardly any photos!

We start with some Highland dancing, the Sword Dance was so cool.....hey, is that Marvin?

It sounds really windy in some of these videos, infact it was a gorgeous sunny day (for the first games in years!) and the gentle breeze was barely enough to rouse the flags....

....nevermind the kilts....sorry ladies!

This is the Kintore Pipe Band and they were the pipe band winners of the day.

Next, big blokes chucking heavy stuff around....spinach anyone?

How to toss the Caber....

....and how NOT to!

Tug-o-war...a bit dull!

The highlight of the games was the massed pipe bands, when all the competing bands perform together.

Alfie looking unimpressed....the burger van beckons!

Gussy-Wuss

Well, since THAT CAT has commanded so much attention over the past few days we decided to let him post a video....and then let that be an end to it.....OUR BLOG!!

Here he is showin off his claws and fangs....

Pffft....easily amused, hehehe!

Only one week to go until Rosie & Petey's wedding!

Hmmmm....

Wow, thanks for all the comments and advice on the situation with Gus. I felt what alot of you said before I read it but was led to believe that I was overreacting by my M.I.L....."that's just what cats do Nicky" she said.

Anyway, part of the problem has been solved. Last night as we set off to walk the dogs, Gus was sitting outside this woman's kitchen window. We put the dogs away, went back over and called him and he came running over to us. Took him indoors, brushed him, fed him etc and he settled down to sleep quite happy. Without having a confrontation we have what we wanted, I think the other neighbour (the one who told us where he was) has maybe said something to her about how unhappy I was with the whole catnapping thing....and yesterday's post now seems a tad over dramatic!

Thing is, he WAS sitting outside her house.....obviously waiting for her to come back, perfectly free to come home but choosing not to. So, we're feeding only water and dry kibble (we've tried BARF with him but he's not interested) which is what we've always fed him, he gets no tinned meat and no milk (we knew about the lactose thing) and has never known any different, it's what he's used to.....until now. This woman we know has been giving him milk, I suspect she has given him tinned meat too....of course, he's had a taste and wants more. I haven't seen her yet, she was out at work all day yesterday.....but Craig saw her going into her house this morning. He also saw Gus trying to get in with her and her not letting him......HE WANTS TO LIVE WITH HER NOW!! And to make matters worse, the dogs are more excited than ever to see him, he's been away so long.....we're going to have to do a refresher on how to behave around the cat....and stop the chase instinct and pack mentality triggering WW3 every time Gus is around....and maybe a nice tin of sardines once a week to keep him interested!

Anyway, thanks for all the advice....we'll take some of it and keep you posted. Maybe i'll put a card through her door saying thankyou for looking after the cat during the storms but please don't put anymore food out for him!

In the meantime, here are some random videos of how we spent yesterday (since we can't post photos) sorry if they make the page slow-loading....

Dinnertime.

Rosie licks her lips after dinner!

Rosie plays with the cat....

Snoop and Rosie enjoy a game of tag at the park....Alfie gets bossy! (Pardon the noise level, it was pretty windy!)

Hometime.

That's all for now....we're off to begin the mammoth task of visiting you....bear with us, it's gonna take a while!

What would you do?

Nicky here....Beagles' Mum. So you know we have a cat right? Gus. Well he's been missing for a few days now....about a week infact, since the thunderstorms.

He's a real outdoor cat, especially in good weather, he's always out and about in the area, usually sunning himself in our neighbour's garden across the road. Everyone knows him, everyone stops to pet him, he's so friendly and I swear he can talk because everyone seems to know his name! He runs to greet everyone who passes and waits around for us to return if we go out.

Last night when despite my calls, he yet again failed to come in for food I went across to ask the neighbour if he'd seen him.....and it seems that another of our neighbours has....nabbed him!

Apparently she found him sleeping in her greenhouse and has taken him in. She knows whose cat he is but didn't mention that she had him to us (only to this other neighbour, who also, strangely did not think it worth mentioning...even though we see him and exchange "hi"s on a daily basis) she has been feeding him and giving him milk (I have never given him milk so goodness knows what it will do to a 10 year old cat to suddenly start giving him milk).

WHO DOES THIS?? Especially when she knows who the cat belongs to and we just live across the road? I haven't approached the woman about this yet as it was quite late to knock on someone's door last night and i'm not sure how to handle this.....I feel that she has just helped herself to one of our pets, a member of our family.....maybe i'll tell her to come over and take her pick of the Beagles too.

I've always though of Gus as a free agent, he comes and goes as he pleases but always came back to us despite not getting on with the dogs....we always make sure he can get into the house.

Here's my dilemma: Is he happier with this new woman? If he is then that's great but I suspect that she is holding him against his will- as I mentioned, he's always outdoors....milling around the neighbourhood....strange then that no-one has seen him for days!

I feel that if he is happier where he is now that he should stay.....(my daughter, whose cat he is, does not agree, she is furious!) but I am quite angry at this woman, it looks as though she isn't giving him the choice.....he's a cat who needs the outdoors and i'm sad to think of him cooped up, having to use a litter box for the first time in his life and not having any freedom, not interacting with every passing Tom, Dick or Harry.....and he's not getting any younger.....what if he gets sick....will she take him to the vet or just decide she doesn't want the hassle and he's our cat again? I need to go and speak to her today....but before I do i'd like to know.....

if you were me....what would you do?

Random Videos

Still not back....still at the bloomin library...but today it's letting me see pictures....and i've managed to upload some videos though I still can't put any photos on.....?? I have however sussed out Twitpics, thanks to Jake & Fergi and you can see some of our recent photos here.

This is what Gabbi does when Mum & Dad take the rest of us out and leave her, not sure if she's howling for Mum, Rosie or just the fact that she's not getting to come for a walk (she's on heat)....what a din!

Next....here's how she reacts to a thunderstorm (it was a whopper by our standards!) The rest of us weren't bothered by it but Gabbi trembled, panted and panicked all through it and for about 4 hours afterwards, she wouldn't be cuddled either. (Strangely, fireworks do not bother her....nor do the many noisy planes that fly over all the time)

And lastly......none of us lot are bothered by the vacuum cleaner.....infact we don't mind "being hoovered" as Alfie demonstrates!

See you all at the wedding......we'll try to get a video of the blushing bride soon....wait until you see the dress.....WOW!

On behalf of the Dughallmor Beagles...

Please RSVP by Friday, July 10, at Petey's Blog.

Traditional Highland attire requested.

Following the ceremony, a reception sunset cruise will be held at Roseisle.

On behalf of Rosie, will Mason Dixie and Kira please do the honor of serving as Bridesmaids? Gabbi will be the Maid of Honor and Rosie would like to ask Just Martha to be her Matron of Honor. Snoop will be giving her away and Rosie was wondering if HRH Auntie Bailey will stand in as the Mother-of-the-Bride?

Petey has asked Jake, Alfie and Joe Stains to be his groomsdogs, and Eric Square Dog to be his Best Mate. He'd also like Sir Hamish to be his stand-in Father-of-the-Groom.

We're hoping the Relentlessly Huge Mango and Marvin the Hollow Hound will officiate.

See you in Scotland!

Petey reporting for the Beagles!

Unfortunately, the poor Dughallmor beagles are still suffering from computer-itis, leaving their poor Mum to using the computers at the library which are not always photo-friendly! Lucky for us, their Mum emailed these adorable photos (and has promised that she'll have hundreds of new shots for all of us once she gets back online) so we can all get a dose of our favorite beagles.

Like my sweetest Rosie! Isn't she a divine beach bunny? Just look at that lovely smile!

Here's my favorite puptail - Rosie on the Rocks, over easy!

And it wouldn't be a visit to the Dughallmor Beagles without at least one flying shot! Who needs the Red Arrows when you can have the high-flying aerial antics of Rosie and Alfie?

Hope this little glimpse of the beagles has brightened your day as much as it has mine!

Your pal,

Petey

Miss you....

We really miss you all, miss visiting everyone, can see some videos but can't see any pics, most Cboxes are off limits too though we can use a couple. No idea when we'll be back online properly....soon we hope!

Just tried to put some pics on as we have hundreds....don't think it worked though, we can't see them.....poo!

Happy Birthday sweet Gabbi.....Happy Gotcha Day to dearest Petey....Happy Housewarming to Rosie and Petey....and Happy 4th of July to all our pals and sweethearts across the pee!